US Navy Secretary Abruptly Resigns Due to Disagreement with Defense Secretary

The United States Department of Defense has announced that US Navy Secretary John Phelan will leave his position “immediately”. Phelan’s resignation comes in the wake of the dismissal of a high-ranking US Army officer, General Randy George, and two other senior officers earlier this month, at a time when the United States is engaged in a war with Iran. “Phelan is leaving the administration, effective immediately,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell in a statement on social media platform X, as reported by AFP news agency on Thursday (23/4/2026). He added that he will be temporarily replaced by Deputy Secretary Hung Cao. The Pentagon provided no explanation for the sudden resignation. However, US media outlet Axios reported that US Defense Secretary (Menhan) Pete Hegseth had fired Phelan. A person familiar with the matter told Axios, “Phelan did not understand that he is not the boss. His job is to follow the orders given, not to follow the orders he thinks should be given.” The same source said that Phelan and Hegseth were not “on good terms”. Despite reports of a good relationship between Phelan and US President Donald Trump, tensions reportedly arose due to Phelan’s direct communications with the president. One source said Hegseth viewed Phelan as bypassing the chain of command too frequently. The dismissal occurs amid a naval standoff with Iran, which has led the Islamic Republic to indefinitely close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against the US naval blockade, which Tehran demands be lifted before the blockade is reopened.